Sir Paul McCartney stops Old Vic’s roof from falling in

Sir Paul McCartney is to raise the roof in a bid to save the roof of the Old Vic at the first of a new and glamorous series of annual fundraisers.

The former Beatle has come to the rescue of Kevin Spacey as the Hollywood star battles to keep the 192-year-old theatre from crumbling. The two men have become friends since Spacey settled in London to run the venue.

Sir Paul will play a private performance for 450 people in The Boiler House at Battersea Power Station next month. The party is planned as the first of what is intended to be a major addition to the summer social circuit.

Tickets range from £500 for the straight champagne reception, dinner and art auction to £10,000 for a premium table of 10 which offers a VIP reception with Spacey and star guests.

Proceeds from the venture will help the Old Vic Theatre Trust. Spacey said: "We are thrilled Paul McCartney will lend his extraordinary talents on the evening alongside brilliant artists who've generously donated their artworks for auction. It's set to be quite a night."

When Richard Caring threw the theatre a party at Annabel's two years ago about £600,000 was raised after performances from Annie Lennox and musicals star Laura Michelle Kelly and an auction of art work by Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Banksy and Sir Peter Blake.

Organisers privately hope that the new party supported by the W Doha luxury lifestyle brand on July 1 could prove even more lucrative.

The Old Vic has never had the funds to repair Second World War bomb damage to its leaking roof.

Sir Paul's Meat Free Monday environmental campaign will get a slice of the funds raised. To book, contact 192@oldvictheatre.com